Economic Impact of Swing and Jazz
- Before Swing and Jazz Industry:
- the music industry was centered around records and live performances
- Industry was successful but not “booming”
- Instrument sales for various bands were limited and restricted major success in musical industry
- popularity of music was spread thin among various different genres separated by racial and social barriers
- The global economy crash of 1929 had major repercussions in the musical industry
- Major impact by “the crash of 1929” causing various important “Big Bands” to shrink in size or fall apart (example: Paul Whiteman) having major economic impacts on the music industry
- Despite the great depression the swing era increased instrumental sales by 300%
- swing dance and music allowed for major economic success- purchase of recordings and band tickets helping reach a recovery for the music industry that was hit earlier by the stock market crash of 1929
- Major impact on radio programing allowed the spread of various types of music, especially swing, to various different areas across America eventually leading to recognition in additional countries especially those in Europe
- radio industry began to take its toll on the record industry temporarily until the rise of electric recording
- swing music acted as a “catalysts” for the failing record business- gained success through radio encouraging more people to attend concerts and buy \ records turning swig into an industry
- Creation of “swing movies” also contributed to the spread of swing and its success in the economy
- “jazz is music; swing is business” –Duke Ellington, this highlights the new path Swing lead the music industry down introducing major profits and business
- Caused a rise in specifically swing magazines contributing to the success of the swing industry
- New York developed in the hub for both jazz and swing music experiencing success in cultural expansion of this music as well as economic success through the recording industry, “publishing houses”, and music business expansion and activities concentrated in this one area
- success of swing music in America was connected to the spread of this music and industry
- as musical hubs and cities such as New York and Chicago became more common across America
- The success of the musical industry helped mend the failing global economy as a result of the great depression